Tamil Words for the Shopping Mall and Retail

From Window Shopping to a Spending Spree: Your Guide to Tamil Vocabulary for the Shopping Mall

The modern shopping mall is a universe unto itself. It’s a bustling, glittering hub of commerce, entertainment, and social life. For the Tamil language learner, it is also a fantastic, real-world classroom. The mall provides an immersive environment where you can practice a specific and highly useful set of vocabulary related to shopping, consumer goods, and daily transactions. Being able to navigate this environment with confidence—to ask for a different size, to inquire about a price, or to understand a promotional offer—is an empowering skill that makes you feel more integrated into the rhythm of modern life. This guide is your personal shopper for the world of retail in Tamil. We will fill your linguistic shopping bag with essential shopping mall vocabulary, key shopping phrases, and the basic consumerism vocabulary you need to transform your next trip to the mall into a successful and satisfying language practice session.

The Lay of the Land: Navigating the Mall (வளாகம் – Valaagam)

First, let’s learn the words for the place itself and its key features.

• Shopping Mall: The English term “ஷாப்பிங் மால்” (shopping maal) is universally used. A more formal Tamil term is “வர்த்தக வளாகம்” (varthaga valaagam), meaning “commercial complex.”
• Shop / Store: கடை (Kadai)
• Floor (level): தளம் (Thalam) – “முதல் தளம்” (mudhal thalam) – “First floor.”

* Entrance: நுழைவாயில் (Nuzhaivaayil)

* Exit: வெளியேறும் வழி (VeliyeRum vazhi)

* Elevator / Lift: The English word “லிஃப்ட்” (lift) is used.

* Escalator: நகரும் படிக்கட்டு (Nagarum padikkattu) – Literally “moving staircase.” The English word “எஸ்கலேட்டர்” (escalator) is also common.

* Restroom: கழிப்பறை (Kazhipparai)

* Food Court: உணவு அரங்கம் (Unavu arangam)

* Cinema Theatre: திரையரங்கம் (Thiraiyarangam)

* Parking: வாகன நிறுத்துமிடம் (Vaagana niruthumidam)

The World of Retail: Types of Shops and Products

Malls are home to a wide variety of stores. Here is the vocabulary you need to identify them and the products they sell.

Clothing and Apparel (ஆடைகள் – Aadaigal):

• Clothing Store: துணிக்கடை (Thunikkadai)
• Clothes: துணி (Thuni) or ஆடைகள் (Aadaigal)
• Shirt: சட்டை (Sattai)
• Trousers / Pants: பேன்ட் (Paent – from English) or கால் சட்டை (kaal sattai)
• Saree: சேலை (Selai) or புடவை (Pudavai)

* Shoes: காலணி (Kaalani) or the English “ஷூ” (shoe)

* Jewelry Store: நகைக் கடை (Nagai-k kadai)

* Jewelry: நகை (Nagai)

* Watch: கைக்கடிகாரம் (Kaikkadigaaram) or the English “வாட்ச்” (watch)

Other Common Stores:

• Bookstore: புத்தகக் கடை (Puthaga-k kadai)
• Electronics Store: எலக்ட்ரானிக்ஸ் கடை (Electronics kadai)

* Supermarket: பல்பொருள் அங்காடி (Palporul angaadi)

* Pharmacy: மருந்தகம் (Marundhagam)

* Toy Store: பொம்மைக் கடை (Bommai-k kadai)

The Language of the Transaction: Essential Shopping Phrases

This is the core of your shopping conversation. These phrases will help you from the moment you enter a store to the moment you pay.

Interacting with the Salesperson (விற்பனையாளர் – Virpanaiyaalar):

• To get their attention: “சார்” (Sir), “மேடம்” (Madam), or a friendly “அண்ணா” (Anna) or “அக்கா” (Akka) works well.
• “I’m just looking.”: “நான் சும்மா பார்க்கிறேன்.” (Naan summa paarkiren.) – This is a very useful phrase to politely indicate that you don’t need help yet.
• “Can you help me?”: “எனக்கு உதவ முடியுமா?” (Enakku udhava mudiyumaa?)

* “I am looking for…”: “நான் … தேடுகிறேன்.” (Naan … thedugiren.)

• Example: “நான் ஒரு நல்ல சட்டை தேடுகிறேன்.” (Naan oru nalla sattai thedugiren.) – “I am looking for a good shirt.”

* “Do you have…?”: “உங்களிடம் … இருக்கிறதா?” (Ungalidam … irukkiradhaa?) or the more common spoken form “… இருக்கா?” (… irukkaa?)

• Example: “நீல நிறத்தில் சட்டை இருக்கா?” (Neela nirathil sattai irukkaa?) – “Do you have a shirt in blue color?”

Talking About the Product:

• “How much is this?”: “இது என்ன விலை?” (Idhu enna vilai?)
• “I like this.”: “எனக்கு இது பிடித்திருக்கிறது.” (Enakku idhu pidithirukkiradhu.)
• “Do you have a different color?”: “இதில் வேற கலர் இருக்கா?” (Idhil vera color irukkaa?)
• “Do you have a different size?”: “இதில் வேற சைஸ் இருக்கா?” (Idhil vera size irukkaa?) – The English word “size” is used.
• “Do you have a smaller/bigger size?”: “இதை விடச் சிறிய/பெரிய சைஸ் இருக்கா?” (Idhai vida siriya/periya size irukkaa?)

* “Where is the trial room?”: “டிரையல் ரூம் எங்கே இருக்கு?” (Trial room enge irukku?) – The English “trial room” is used.

* “This fits me well.”: “இது எனக்குச் சரியாகப் பொருந்துகிறது.” (Idhu enakku-ch sariyaaga-p porundhugiradhu.)

* “This is too loose/tight.”: “இது ரொம்ப லூசா/டைட்டா இருக்கு.” (Idhu romba loose-a/tight-a irukku.)

The Language of Consumerism: Prices, Discounts, and Payment

• Price: விலை (Vilai)
• Discount / Sale: தள்ளுபடி (Thallubadi) – “இதில் தள்ளுபடி இருக்கிறதா?” (Idhil thallubadi irukkiradhaa?) – “Is there a discount on this?”
• Offer: The English word “ஆஃபர்” (offer) is very common.
• “Is this the final price?”: “இதுதான் கடைசி விலையா?” (Idhudhaan kadaisi vilaiyaa?)
• “The price is too high.”: “விலை ரொம்ப அதிகம்.” (Vilai romba adhigam.)

* To Pay: பணம் செலுத்து (panam seluthu)

* Cash: ரொக்கம் (Rokkam)

* Credit Card: கடன் அட்டை (Kadan attai)

* “I will pay by card.”: “நான் கார்டு மூலம் பணம் செலுத்துகிறேன்.” (Naan card moolam panam seluthugiren.)

* Bill / Receipt: பில் (Bil) / ரசீது (Raseedhu)

Putting It All Together: A Sample Shopping Conversation

Scenario: You are in a clothing store looking for a shirt.

You: (To a salesperson) “அண்ணா, மன்னிக்கவும்…” (Anna, mannikkavum…) – “Brother, excuse me…”

Salesperson: “சொல்லுங்க சார். என்ன வேண்டும்?” (Sollunga, sir. Enna vendum?) – “Please tell me, sir. What do you need?”

You: “நான் ஒரு காட்டன் சட்டை தேடுகிறேன்.” (Naan oru cotton sattai thedugiren.) – “I am looking for a cotton shirt.”

Salesperson: “எந்த சைஸ் சார்?” (Endha size, sir?) – “Which size, sir?”

You: “மீடியம் சைஸ். நீல நிறத்தில் இருக்கா?” (Medium size. Neela nirathil irukkaa?) – “Medium size. Do you have it in blue color?”

Salesperson: “இருக்கு சார். இதைப் பாருங்க.” (Irukku, sir. Idhai-p paarunga.) – “Yes, sir. Please look at this one.”

You: “இது நல்லா இருக்கு. இது என்ன விலை?” (Idhu nalla irukku. Idhu enna vilai?) – “This is nice. What is the price of this?”

Salesperson: “ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் சார்.” (Aayiram roobai, sir.) – “One thousand rupees, sir.”

You: “இதில் தள்ளுபடி இருக்கா?” (Idhil thallubadi irukkaa?) – “Is there a discount on this?”

Salesperson: “ஆமாம் சார், பத்து சதவீதம் தள்ளுபடி இருக்கு.” (Aamaam, sir. Pathu sadhaveedham thallubadi irukku.) – “Yes, sir, there is a ten percent discount.”

You: “சரி, இதை எடுத்துக்கிறேன்.” (Sari, idhai eduthukkiren.) – “Okay, I will take this.”

Conclusion: The Currency of Communication

The shopping mall is a microcosm of modern life, and the language used within its walls is the currency of daily interaction. By arming yourself with this essential shopping mall vocabulary, you are not just preparing to buy a new shirt; you are preparing to engage with the culture in a real and practical way. The next time you go shopping, challenge yourself. Try to ask for one item in Tamil. Then, try to ask for the price. Each small, successful interaction is a victory that will build your confidence. You will find that the ability to navigate the world of retail in Tamil is a powerful and rewarding skill that makes you feel more connected, more independent, and more at home in the vibrant, bustling world of commerce.